He did not always toe the line but teachers and the police believed enough in Danyal Zaal to invest in him.
He went on to become Spine Road High School’s best drum major in the 2007 Mitchell’s Plain SAPS Schools Marching and Drill Competition.
Danyal, 26, from Eastridge, is now an executive assistant, station manager and producer at Deen Tv, which will broadcast the 11th annual competition which took place on Saturday, on StarSat Channel 365.
He was among the handful of pupils, who took part of the first competition, the brainchild of former Mitchell’s Plain police station commander, Major General Jeremy Vearey.
Major General Vearey used the competition to guide vulnerable youth in a positive direction. He allocated local social crime prevention officers at schools, who taught delinquent pupils the importance of discipline and respect for authority.
“A handful of ‘naughty’ children were inducted into the programme, which has blossomed into an exhibition that shows off our kids’ marching and drilling skills, coupled with a sense of belonging and achievement in a positive way,” he said.
The programme has since evolved and now attracts willing participants.
Danyal said being part of the squad taught him to stand tall, to have a vision, focus and complete tasks to deadline.
He progressed to being part of the Western Province drill squad, where he learned to thrive in an environment where there was no negativity and received some military training.
Danyal said drilling made him think ahead.
“I have to consider all of the what-ifs, the hows, the maybes, analyse and assess myself to pinpoint what it is I want to change and what my Creator expects of me, without which I will have no purpose,” he said.
He was playful at school but excelled in computer technology. His family faced financial and health difficulties causing them to go bankrupt but he pushed through and earned a stipend of R500 a month, for two years, when he worked for Liberty Magazine Africa.
Danyal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCT in 2013 and has worked with top names in the media industry, including Debora Patta on Third Degree as well as eNCA (eNews Channel Africa) journalist Annika Larsen.
He encouraged participants of the competition to grab opportunities to better themselves and to be humanitarian.
“Respect and values go a long way and they can be ambassadors – walking the talk and delivering a package they are proud of,” he said.
Speaking at Saturday’s event, Major General Vearey dared pupils to be different, outstanding and confident to serve their community with pride.